Ray Baker Jr, 46, had recently moved back to Detroit from Port Huron to be closer to his children and grandchildren. His family described him as a peaceful, gentle giant who was looking forward to spending more time with loved ones. That plan ended on the night of August 29, 2019.

Baker stopped at an Exxon on Fort Street to buy cigarettes. As he was leaving, a man in a ski mask got out of a white Chrysler van and fired an assault rifle, discharging about 40 rounds. Baker was hit multiple times, taken to a nearby hospital, and died of his injuries. Police believe he was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of an attempted gang execution aimed at a man and woman in a Ford Taurus; the woman was shot in the leg and the two drove away and did not cooperate with investigators.

Baker’s family has asked the public for information that could lead to an arrest; no arrests have been announced. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to come forward.